When going through the Crossroads in between runs, you will notice that there are two exits you can take — one to the underworld where you go fight Chronos, and another one that leads you to the surface. However, the path to the surface says that it is warded off.
It is possible to dispel this ward, but there are a few steps involved. In this guide, we will go over just how to unlock access to the surface, then how to survive once you’re up there.
How to Access the Surface
Unlocking access to the surface could take a bit of time, because you will first need to have conversations with Hermes and a couple of others before you can do anything:
The series of events starts when Hermes tells you that Mount Olympus is under attack, and that they need help.
Afterwards, speak more with Hermes, along with Hecate and Moros, during and in between runs, about the attack on Olympus and wanting to help.
Once you’ve spoken to them enough, Moros will give you the Permeation of Witching-Wards Incantation.
Ingredients for the Witching-Wards Incantation
Now you will need to gather the 3 ingredients for the Incantation: 1 Cinder, 1 Shadow, and 3 Moly.
The Cinder and Moly are easy to get, and you will likely already have them by the time you unlock the Incantation.
The Shadow will take a little more work. This is a material that needs to be crafted using:
30 Ash
30 Psyche
3 Fated Fabric
Note that the Shadow will take some time to cook in the Cauldron, but doing another run should make enough time pass by for it to finish.
Once you have everything you need for the Incantation, use it and you will be able to access the surface! However, your first visit will not be a pleasant one…
How to Survive on the Surface
If you’ve played the first Hades, you may remember that Zagreus can’t survive for long on the surface due to being the son of Hades. Unfortunately, Melinoë has this same issue — after your first encounter, you will rapidly lose your health, to the point where it will be almost impossible to do anything but one more encounter. Luckily, there is a way to get around this.
How to Override the Curse
After your first death on the surface, speak to Moros again, and he will give you a new Incantation — Unraveling of a Fateful Bond. This will override Melinoë’s curse, allowing her to freely run around the surface without cutting her life short!
There are 4 things that you need for the Unraveling of a Fateful Bond:
2 Lotus – gathered in Oceanus.
2 Moss – gathered on the Surface.
This means that you will have to do another short run on the surface to get enough Moss. Luckily, there is always one in the first area to gather.
2 Nightshade – can either be grown from Nightshade seeds, or collected as a gift from Narcissus.
2 Thalamus – grown from Origin Seeds, which are found in Chaos’s realm.
Once all of the ingredients are gathered, you can complete the Incantation, and finally be able to do runs on the surface!
The surface gives you a whole new experience in runs, putting you up against all new enemies, formats, and even the way you progress through levels! You will also meet new characters and gain new buffs to help out this new experience.
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KainHighwind27
I'm a huge gamer who especially loves the Final Fantasy series. I will play just about any game, especially if it has anything resembling a Dragoon.
